Clamp for securing a tubular or hose-shaped object

ABSTRACT

A clamp for securing a tubular or hose-shaped object on a support. The clamp includes a clamp jacket having first and second ends, wherein a first leg protrudes from the first end of the clamp jacket and a second leg projects from the second end of the clamp jacket. The first leg has a lug which in the open state protrudes in the direction of the second leg. The second leg includes a fastening section which can be inserted into a gap between the lug and a neighboring portion of the first leg located opposite the lug, wherein, in the closed state of the clamp, the lug is plastically deformed toward the outer side of the fastening section facing away from the first leg.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a clamp for securing a tubular orhose-shaped object on a support. The clamp includes a clamp jackethaving first and second ends, wherein a first leg protrudes from thefirst end of the clamp jacket and a second leg projects from the secondend of the clamp jacket.

2. Description of the Related Art

A clamp of the above-described type is disclosed, for example, in DE 3808 334 C1. The clamp jacket is curved in a C-shaped manner and enclosesa receiving chamber in which can be placed a pipe, a hose or the likeobject. The two legs are then placed one on top of the other, so thatthe clamp including the pipe, hose or the like placed therein can befastened to a support, for example, a girder, a ceiling, a wall, ahousing or the like. The two legs have coinciding throughholes throughwhich a fastening element, for example, a screw, can be guided.

In order to be able to secure the clamp on the tubular or hose-shapedobject already before the assembly on the support, this known clamp canbe preliminarily secured. For this purpose, the clamp has a lockingmechanism. The locking mechanism includes a resilient lug which is bentinto a S-shape and is mounted on one leg, wherein the other leg canengage with its free end face behind the resilient lug. After the lugsare locked together, the clamp jacket rests under a certain tensionagainst the tubular or hose-shaped object, so that the clamp not beeither turned or axially displaced on this object.

The above-described clamp has been found useful for many fields ofapplication. However, in some cases there is the problem that the lockedengagement is separated if the preassembled clamp is caught anywhereduring the transportation of the tubular or hose-shaped object. In thatcase, the preassembled clamp may change its position or alignment on thetubular or hose-shaped object.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is the primary object of the present invention to providea clamp which can be reliably preassembled.

In accordance with the present invention, the first leg has a lug whichin the opened state protrudes in the direction of the second leg. Thesecond leg includes a fastening section which can be inserted into a gapbetween the lug and a neighboring portion of the first leg locatedopposite the lug, wherein, in the closed state of the clamp, the lug isplastically deformed toward the outer side of the fastening sectionfacing away from the first leg.

The configuration according to the present invention makes it possiblethat a significantly higher safety against an accidental separation ofthe preassembled clamp can be achieved. In this connection, it should benoted that the “open state” describes a state of the clamp in which theclamp is not yet preliminarily secured to the object, which means thatthe two legs still have a distance from each other. In addition, thereceiving chamber surrounded by the clamp jacket has a greatercross-section than the object. On the other hand, the “closed state” isa state in which the two legs are secured to each other, so that thereceiving chamber surrounded by the clamp jacket is adapted to theobject in such a way that the clamp jacket rests with a certainpretension against the object. Because the lug is plastically deformedon the fastening section, the lug cannot be separated by a resilientmovement. This measure already increases the safety against anaccidental separation of the preliminary mounting. In addition, thefastening section has been guided through a gap between the lug and theneighboring section when the clamp is in a closed state. As a result,lateral yielding of the fastening section is prevented. Any movement isprevented on one side by the lug and on the other side by theneighboring section. Consequently, the mobility of the second legrelative to the first leg is limited to such an extent that anaccidental separation is made less possible.

In accordance with an advantageous feature, the fastening sectionprotrudes out of the second leg in a direction toward the first leg. Asa result of this feature, a relative movement of the two legs in thedirection from the clamp jacket to the end of the legs is reliablyprevented. In one direction, the second leg impinges upon the lug. Inthe opposite direction, the fastening section impinges against the firstleg. Since a relative movement of the two legs in the longitudinaldirection is prevented, an accidental separation cannot occur as aresult of such a relative movement.

According to a preferred feature, the neighboring section is alsoconstructed as a lug which protrudes from the first leg in the directiontoward the second leg. In the closed state, the lug forming theneighboring section is plastically deformed toward the other side of thefastening section. As a result, the fastening section is held betweentwo lugs so that a relative lateral movement of the two legs is alsoprevented. The fastening section is then essentially symmetrically held.

In accordance with another preferred feature, the outer side of thefastening section is offset relative to an outer side of the second legin the direction toward the first leg which corresponds to a thicknessof the lug. The offset does not have to coincide exactly with thethickness of the lug. However, this configuration makes it possible thattwo plane operational surfaces are obtained at the two legs which arelocked together. The clamp can then be assembled with two differentorientations, without having any protruding parts.

In accordance with a preferred feature, the fastening section has acurvature which is directed toward the first leg. This curvatureincreases the mechanical stability of the fastening section. Moreover,the curvature makes it easier to “thread” the fastening section into thegap defined by the lug or lugs. Moreover, the curvature makes itpossible that the plastic deformation of the lug or lugs on the outerside of the fastening section, produce a small additional positiveengagement which further makes the separation of the locking engagementmore difficult.

The fastening section is preferably arranged on a circumferential edgeof the second leg. This circumferential edge may be, for example, anedge which is arranged at the end face of the second leg, i.e., at thatposition which is as far as possible remote from the clamp jacket.However, it may also be an edge at the longitudinal side of the leg. Inany event, this position of the edge facilitates a simple manufacturethereof. The fastening section as well as the lug or lugs are thenaccessible from the outside, so that unnecessary punching procedures areprevented.

The second leg preferably has a recess next to the fastening section,wherein the lug can be inserted in the closed state. This also resultsin a lateral limitation on the side of the lug located opposite thefastening section, so that this feature provides a further measure forreducing the mobility of the two legs relative to each other.

In accordance with another preferred feature, the lug has along itslongitudinal direction a predetermined distance from the first leg. Thisensures that the lug can be deformed freely, i.e., without influencefrom the first leg. There is no danger that the lug gets caught at thefirst leg which would mean a contradiction to a deformation.

One leg is preferably bent at a right angle relative to the clampjacket, wherein the clamp has in the bending area thereof areinforcement in the form of at least one corrugation. At the latestwhen the clamp is fastened to the support, for example, a wall, aceiling, etc, the leg which is bent at a right angle is moved toward thesecond leg, wherein this movement receives a certain resistance by thetubular or cylindrical object. As a consequence, the bent leg issubjected to a strong tensional load which means that there is asignificant load acting on the material of the clamp. If a corrugationis provided, the force in the area of the curvature or bend between thebent clamp and the clamp jacket is kept small and the forces aredistributed more uniformly over the remaining circumference of theclamp.

The corrugation extends preferably from the end portion completelyoutwardly. As a consequence, the corrugation can be moved somewhatfurther into the interior of the clamp as related to the widthimmediately in the “bend” or the curvature, so that one is not limitedto an edge area of the clamp. Since in that case the corrugation extendsfrom the inside toward the outside, it is ensured that sufficient spaceremains for fastening the head of a threaded bolt.

One leg preferably extends parallel to a tangent of the clamp jacket andis outwardly offset by a predetermined distance. This configuration hasparticular advantages if the clamp is provided with a rubber-likematerial in that area where the clamp is to hold the tubular orhose-shaped body. This rubber-like material, for example, of EPDM,engages around the clamp jacket in a C-shape, wherein the back of the Cis arranged in the interior of the shell jacket. By outwardly offsettingthe tangentially extending leg by a predetermined distance, sufficientspace is provided in the area of the clamp jacket for providing therubber-like material in the engaged area. Therefore, the clamp can bescrewed to a support without there being the danger of excess pressureacting on the rubber-like material.

Preferably, a transition section between the leg and the clamp jacketprotrudes at least along a section from a transverse direction. Inprinciple, it is sufficient to produce the offset by deforming thematerial of which the clamp is made by usually a strip of sheet metal,in the transition area in a S-shape or Z-shape. If this deformation isnot made uniformly over the transverse direction of the transitionsection, but the deformation is shaped, for example, V-shaped, areinforcing corrugation is obtained which increases the bendingstiffness of the leg relative to the loads acting during operation, suchas torques or vibrations. As a result of this stiffening corrugation,cold hardening is achieved at selected locations by structural changesin the basic material.

At least one leg is preferably provided with a reinforcing plate. Inmost cases, it would even be sufficient if only a single leg is providedwith the reinforcing plate. In that case, the reinforcing plate replacesa conventionally used washer which is arranged between the respectiveleg and the head of a threaded bolt which is used for fastening theclamp to a support. The reinforcing plate produces an additionalstiffening.

The reinforcing plate is preferably formed by a folded extension of theleg. This facilitates the manufacture. It is not necessary to provideadditional parts for the manufacture. Rather, a sheet metal strip can bemanufactured with an appropriate extension, for example, by punching.The reinforcing plate is then simply bent by 180

onto the remainder of the strip and is connected to the strip, so thatthe leg is provided with the reinforcing plate.

In this connection, it is provided that the reinforcing plate and theleg have a rivet-like connection. Such a rivet-like connection can beeasily carried out in a press or punching machine, so that after theextension has been folded over, it is basically only necessary to carryout a single work step for connecting the reinforcing plate to the leg.

Preferably, of the two parts reinforcing plate and leg each has athroughopening and the material of one of the parts is deformed throughthe throughopening of the other part. In this manner, it is possible toproduce the rivet-like connection. For this purpose, the two parts canbe provided, for example, with throughopenings having differentdiameters wherein the edge of the smaller throughopening is thendeformed into the inner circumference of the larger throughopening, sothat a positive engagement is achieved which ensures a sufficientfastening.

In accordance with a preferred feature, the throughopening has a shapewhich deviates from a circular shape. This additionally ensures that thereinforcing plate, which incidentally has at least approximately thesame shape as the leg, is non-rotatably secured on the leg. Particularlytoward the end of a screwing process, a partially significant torqueacts from the screw head onto the reinforcing plate which can beabsorbed to a sufficient extent by the shape of the throughopening whichdeviates from the circular shape. The throughopening may simply be anoblong hole. However, the throughopening may also be provided with apolygonal circumferential edge.

The reinforcing plate preferably has at its rear edge facing the clampjacket an angled portion. This results in a reinforcement of the rearedge of the reinforcing plate, so that it is possible to achieve astrength which is equal to that of a standard reinforcing plate eventhough the material used for the reinforcing plate corresponds to thatof the clamp jacket and the legs, which normally has low strength. Thecorrugations mentioned above can be arranged additionally or exclusivelyin the angled portion of the reinforcing plate.

The reinforcing plate preferably covers the fastening section. Thisresults in the advantage that the reinforcing plate can be used forbending down and plastically deforming the lug or lugs onto the outerside of the fastening section. The reinforcing plate then covers theends of the lug, so that the danger of an accidental catching or bendingof the lugs is kept small.

Each leg preferably has a bend, wherein, in the closed state, one leg isplaced with its bent in the bent of the other leg. This makes itpossible to prevent changing directions of assembly of the tubular orhose-shaped object.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention arepointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming apart of the disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, itsoperating advantages, specific objects attained by its use, referenceshould be had to the drawing and descriptive matter in which there areillustrated and described preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a first embodiment of a clamp accordingto the present invention, shown in the closed state;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the clamp of FIG. 1 shown in the openstate;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view on a larger scale, of a locking mechanism ofthe clamp in the opened state, taken along sectional line III-III ofFIG. 5;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view on a larger scale, of a locking mechanism ofthe clamp in the closed state;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along sectional line V-V of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a top view of a strip for manufacturing the clamp of FIGS. 1and 2;

FIG. 7 is an elevational view of a second embodiment of a clamp, shownin the closed state.

FIG. 8 is an elevational view of the clamp of FIG. 7 shown in the openstate;

FIG. 9 is a view in the direction of arrow Y, with the clamp in the openstate;

FIG. 10 is a view in the direction of arrow Y, with the clamp in theclosed state;

FIG. 11 is a top view f a strip for manufacturing the clamp of FIGS. 7and 8;

FIG. 12 is an elevational view if a third embodiment of a clamp;

FIG. 13 is a top view of the clamp of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is an elevational view of a fourth embodiment of a clamp, shownin the open state;

FIG. 15 is an elevational view of the clamp of FIG. 14, shown in aclosed state.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a clamp according to FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a clamp;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the clamp;

FIG. 19 is an elevational view of the clamp of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a top view of the clamp of FIG. 18;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a seventh embodiment of a clamp, shownin the closed state;

FIG. 22 is an elevational view of the clamp of FIG. 21; and

FIG. 23 is a top view of the clamp of FIG. 21.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawing show a clamp 1 with a C-shaped clamp jacket2 which is lined with a rubber-like material 3, for example, EPDM, andwhich surrounds a receiving chamber 4. The closed or essentially closedstate, as shown in FIG. 1, the receiving chamber 4 has an essentiallycircular circumferential wall, so that a tubular or hose-shaped objectcan be secured in the receiving chamber 4 when the clamp 1 is closed.

The clamp 1 includes a first leg 5 which extends essentially along astraight line from the clamp jacket 2. The clamp further includes asecond leg 6 which is bent at a right angle relative to the clamp jacket2. On the second leg, i.e., on the side facing away from the first leg,the second leg 6 is provided with a reinforcing plate 7.

If the clamp 1 is open, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the clamp 1 can bepushed into the tubular or hose-shaped object, which is not illustratedin detail. By pressing the two legs 5,6 together, the clamp 1 ispreliminarily secured on this object. In order to maintain thisconnection, the first leg 5 has two lugs 8, 9 which are bent from thefirst leg 5 in the direction toward the second leg 6. As can be seen inFIG. 6, the two lugs 8, 9 have along the longitudinal extension thereofa certain distance from the remainder of the first leg 5. The lugs areconnected to the first leg 5 only at their relatively narrow end faces.

The second leg 6 has a fastening section 10 which is bent out of thesecond leg 6 in the direction toward the first leg 5, wherein the secondleg 6 is bent approximately by the thickness of the sheet metal strip 11of which the clamp 1 is formed.

The fastening section 10 has a slight curvature 12 which is directedtoward the first leg 5 when the two legs 5, 6 are still separated fromeach other.

However, the curvature of the fastening section can also be omitted, inorder to obtain a completely plane assembly surface at the bottom sidein relation to the illustration of FIG. 4 when the clamp 1 is in theclosed state, i.e., in the preliminarily secured state.

The reinforcing plate 7 is formed by a projection 13 of the sheet metalstrip 11 of which the clamp 1 is manufactured. The projection 13 isconnected through a joint section 14 to the sheet metal strip 11,wherein the joint section 14 has recesses 15 which separate the sheetmetal strip 11 from the projection 13 in order to form a material bridgewhich is as thin as possible. The sheet metal strip 11 shown in FIG. 6can be manufactured with its projection 13 in a punching process,wherein the two lugs 8, 9 and the fastening section 10 are alsoproduced. Subsequently, the projection 13 is folded onto the sheet metalstrip 11 in order to produce the reinforcing plate 7 in this manner. Thereinforcing plate 7 then covers the fastening section 10 at a distancewhich corresponds approximately to the thickness of the lugs 8, 9.

The projection 13 has an oblong hole 16. The sheet metal strip 11 has athroughopening 17 which is smaller than the oblong hole 16. As can beseen from FIG. 5, an annular portion 18 of the second leg 6 is thendeformed through the oblong hole 16, so that a type of rivet connectionis formed. The annular portion 18 may additionally include a smallflange 19 which engages over the reinforcing plate 7 on the outer sidethereof, so that the reinforcing plate 7 is positively engaged with thesecond leg 6.

As soon as the connection between the second leg 6 and the reinforcingplate 7 has been effected, a cut can be performed along a broken line 20in order to finally form the second leg 6 with reinforcing plate 7.

The first leg 5 also has a throughopening 21 which, when the two legs 5,6 rest against each other, are in alignment with the throughopening 17which is also constructed as an oblong hole, so that a fasteningelement, for example, a screw, can be guided through in order to be ableto fasten the clamp 1 to a support, for example, a girder, a ceiling, awall, a housing or the like.

The reinforcement plate 7 has at its end facing the clamp jacket 2 abent portion 22 which serves as an additional reinforcement. A brokenline 23 in FIG. 6 shows where the section 22 is bent.

The bent portion 22 may additionally be provided with reinforcingcorrugations 24 in order to further increase the bending stiffness ofthe second leg 6 which is provided with the reinforcing plate 2. Thebent portion 22 can be produced before or during the folding over of thereinforcing plate onto the second leg 6. By providing the reinforcingplate 7 with the bent portion 22, it is prevented that the reinforcingplate 7 has a notch effect on the leg 6. There are no sharp edges at theend of the reinforcing plate 7 which could dig into the leg 6 whichcould under unfavorable circumstances with vibrations lead to anintended breaking point.

Even if the reinforcing plate 7 is provided, the complete clamp 1 can behandled during its manufacture practically as a single piece which ispunched from a sheet metal strip. This results in significant advantagesin the manufacture of the clamp.

Preliminarily securing the clamp 1 to the object which is notillustrated in detail, initially the two legs 5, 6 are moved toward eachother to the extent as it is illustrated in FIG. 3. During the movementwhich leads to the state shown in FIG. 3, the fastening section 10 hasbeen guided through a gap between the two lugs 8, 9. In this process,the two lugs 8, 9 impinge upon the reinforcement plate 7. A furthermovement is initially not possible; rather, further movement is onlypossible if the two legs 5, 6 are pressed against each other at agreater force.

When the two legs 5, 6 are further pressed together, for example, bymeans of pliers, the two lugs 8, 9 are plastically bent and deformedinto a space 25 which is formed between the reinforcing plate 7 and thefastening section 10. As a result, the two legs 5, 6 are locked togetherand the clamp 1 is preliminarily secured.

If pliers are used for pressing together the legs 5, 6, it isadvantageous if these pliers have at one of the jaws thereof a pin-likeprojection which is guided through the two throughopenings 17, 21. Thisprojection then ensures that the two legs 5, 6 are secured relative toeach other. These pliers can then simultaneously be used for bendingover the two lugs 8, 9. The clamp 1 does not have to be preliminarilysecured. Rather, the clamp 1 can also be used as a “conventional” clamp.In that case, when the clamp 1 is fastened, the worker guides a screwthrough the two throughopenings 17, 21 and secures the clamp 1 to asupport, not illustrated in detail. During this fastening process, thelugs 8, 9 are also deformed. However, this plays practically no role inthe further manipulation of the clamp 1.

In addition to flat pliers which are actuated manually, the tool usedfor preliminary securing can also be pliers which are operated byauxiliary force, for example, pneumatically. When a large number ofclamps are manufactured, it is also possible to use an assembly devicewhich can be operated pneumatically or hydraulically. Also a mechanicalactuation by other forces would be possible.

This results in a locking action against a movement of the two legs 5, 6relative to each other in practically all degrees of freedom. A movementof the two legs 5, 6 beyond the mutual contact is not possible. Amovement in the opposite direction is also not possible because the twolugs 8, 9 are secured with positive engagement on the fastening section10.

A movement of the two legs 5, 6 in the longitudinal direction, as seenin FIG. 1 from left to right and from right to left, is not possiblebecause the fastening section 10 contacts in one direction the first leg5 and the in the other direction the lugs 8, 9. A lateral movement, asseen in FIG. 3 from left to right or from right to left is also notpossible because the fastening section 10 is secured in the lugs 8, 9.Similar considerations apply to possible rotational movements of the twolegs 5, 6 relative to each other.

The first leg 5, which is arranged essentially tangentially relative tothe clamp jacket 2, is slightly outwardly offset relative theexclusively tangential direction. A transition section 27 ensures anoffset in such a way that the rubber-like material 3 is not pressed whenthe first leg 5 is tightly screwed onto a support.

As can be seen in FIG. 6, the transition section 27 is not formeduniformly over the width of the sheet metal strip 11; rather, thetransition section extends V-shaped as seen in the top view. Thisresults in a corrugation 28 which contributes to stiffening of thetransition section 27.

In the configuration of the clamp as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6, flatassembly surfaces are available on both sides of the legs 5, 6, whichmeans that the worker can freely choose during the assembly with whatorientation he wants to mount the clamp 1. The surface formed on theouter side of the first leg 5 is flat without any harmful protrudingparts, and the outer side of the reinforcing plate 7 is also flat. Thecorrugation 24 is arranged so closely adjacent the clamp jacket 2 thatit is not in the way during the assembly. Consequently, the clamp 1 canbe used very flexibly. The curvature of the fastening section 10 ispractically also not in the way because it protrudes only by a few tenthof a millimeter. If this should also be in the way, it is also possibleto manufacture the fastening section 10 without curvature.

FIGS. 7 to 11 of the drawing show a modified embodiment of the clamp 1in which the reinforcing plate 7 has been omitted. This type of clamp 1constitutes a lighter embodiment which can be used for securing lighterobjects. Lighter objects exert lower forces on the clamp 1. Equivalentelements are provided with the same reference numerals as in FIGS. 1 to6.

In contrast to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 6, a corrugation 24 isarranged immediately in that area where the second leg 6 is bent awayfrom the clamp jacket 2. However, the corrugation 24 has the samepurpose as the corrugation 24 in FIG. 5.

As can be seen in FIGS. 9 and 10, the fastening section 10 can be guidedthrough a gap 29 between the two lugs 8, 9 when the two legs 5, 6 areplaced on each other. In this embodiment, the two lugs 8, 9 can be bentonto the outer side 26 of the fastening section 10, for example, bymeans of pliers. The pliers advantageously have a cylindrical projectionwith an inclined tip at one of the jaws of the pliers and athroughopening at the other jaws of the pliers, so that the twothroughopenings 17, 21 can be engaged by the cylindrical projection andthe two legs 5,6 can be held in their position, while the two lugs 8, 9are bent onto the fastening section 10. It is also in this case possibleto omit the curvature of the fastening section 10 or straighten thecurvature once again once the lugs 9, 10 are bent by means of a suitabletool, for example, pliers.

It is also possible in this embodiment to ensure that the outer side ofthe second leg 6 as well as the outer side of the first leg 5 are flatso that two assembly surfaces are available at the clamp 1 and the clamp1 can be mounted in any desired orientation.

When preliminarily securing this clamp 1, it is also advantageous to useflat pliers or a similar tool which advantageously has a pin-likeprojection which can be guided through the two throughopenings 17, 21for positioning the two legs 5, 6 relative to each other in such a waythat the fastening section 10 can be guided through the opening betweenthe two lugs 8, 9.

As can be seen particularly in FIG. 11, two recesses 30, 31 are arrangedadjacent the fastening section 10. The two lugs 8, 9 are guided into thetwo recesses. The recesses 30, 31 are at their outer sides delimited byprojections 32, 33, so that the two legs 5, 6 can be additionallysecured relative to each other. The same configuration is also providedin the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 6.

While in the two embodiments of the locking mechanism illustrated inFIGS. 1 through 11 the locking mechanisms are formed by the lugs 8, 9and the fastening section 10 at the end faces of the two legs 5, 6.FIGS. 12 and 13 show an embodiment in which the locking mechanism withthe lugs 8, 9 and the fastening section 10 is arranged at a longitudinaledge of the two legs 5, 6. The same elements and elements correspondingto each other are provided with the same reference numerals.

The clamp 1 according to FIG. 12 has two receiving chambers 4 a, 4 b, sothat it is possible to secure two tubular or cylindrical objects withone clamp.

As can be seen in FIG. 13, the rubber-like material 3 is not closed onthe outer side of the clamp jacket 2; rather, the gap remains throughwhich the clamp jacket 2 is visible.

FIGS. 14 through 16 show another embodiment of a clamp 1 whichessentially is of the same construction as the clamp of FIGS. 7 through11. However, the rubber-like material 3 is omitted.

FIG. 17 shows a clamp in which the legs 5, 6 each have a bend, whereinthe bends are configured in such a way that when the legs 5, 6 areresting against each other they have essentially a common bend. In thatcase, the outer side of one bend rests against the inner side of theother bend.

FIGS. 18 through 20 show a sixth embodiment of clamp 1, wherein equalelements and corresponding elements are provided with the same referencenumerals as in FIGS. 1 through 17.

First, in the embodiment of FIGS. 18 through 20, one leg 5 is extendedbeyond the other leg 6; in other words, the leg 5 protrudes in thelongitudinal direction beyond the leg 6.

Consequently, the lugs 8, 9 are not arranged at a circumferential edgeof the leg 5; rather, the lugs 8, 9 are formed in an opening 34 which isprovided in the middle of the leg 5. Otherwise the clamp 1 of thisembodiment can also be preliminarily secured or preassembled as is thecase in the clamps of FIGS. 1 through 17.

The clamp 1 can be fastened on a base in two ways. First,throughopenings 17, 21 are provided which in preliminarily securing theclamp can also be used for receiving a pin or pin-shaped projection at alocking tool. On the other hand, the leg 5 has in its bent section 35 anadditional hole 36 which can also be used for receiving a screw, a boltor the like.

FIGS. 21 through 23 show a seventh embodiment of the clamp whichcorresponds essentially to the embodiment of FIGS. 14 to 16.

However, in this embodiment, the two legs 5, 6 protrude essentially inradial direction from the clamp jacket 2. In that case, both legs 5, 6also have corrugations 24 in order to achieve a stiffening in thetransition from the clamp jacket 2 to the legs 5, 6.

In all embodiments, the clamp 1 can be manufactured from a single sheetmetal strip, so that particularly only a single part has to bemanipulated in the manufacture of the clamp. This is also true if theclamp 1 is provided with a reinforcing plate 7. All embodiments of theclamp 1 can be preliminarily secured without problems, so that theassembly of the clamp 1 is also significantly simplified.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed in detail to illustrate the inventive principles, it will beunderstood that the invention may be embodied otherwise withoutdeparting from such principles.

1. A clamp for securing a tubular or hose-shaped object to a support,the clamp comprising a clamp jacket having first and second ends, afirst leg projecting from the first end and a second leg projecting fromthe second end, the first leg having at least one lug projecting in adirection toward the second leg, and the second leg having a fasteningsection insertable into a gap between the at least one lug and anadjacent area of the first leg located opposite the at least one lug,wherein, in a closed state of the clamp, the at least one lug isplastically deformed onto an outer side of the fastening section facingaway from the first leg, wherein the second leg has adjacent thefastening section a recess into which the lug is inserted in the closedstate.
 2. The clamp according to claim 1, wherein the fastening sectionprotrudes from the second leg in a direction toward the first leg. 3.The clamp according to claim 1, wherein the adjacent area is constructedas a second lug which protrudes from the first leg in a direction towardthe second leg, wherein, in the closed state, the second lug isplastically deformed onto the outer side of the fastening section. 4.The clamp according to claim 1, wherein the outer side of the fasteningsection is offset relative to the outer side of the second leg in adirection toward the first leg by a distance equal to a thickness of thelug.
 5. The clamp according to claim 1, wherein the fastening sectionhas a curvature directed toward the first leg.
 6. The clamp according toclaim 1, wherein the fastening section is arranged at a circumferentialedge of the second leg.
 7. The clamp according to claim 1, wherein theat least one lug has along a longitudinal direction thereof apredetermined distance from the first leg.
 8. The clamp according toclaim 1, wherein one of the legs is bent at a right angle from the shelljacket, wherein the clamp has in a bending area a reinforcement by atleast one corrugation.
 9. The clamp according to claim 8, wherein thecorrugation extends from the bending area completely outwardly.
 10. Theclamp according to claim 1, wherein one leg extends parallel to atangent of the clamp jacket, wherein the one leg is outwardly offset bya predetermined distance.
 11. The clamp according to claim 10, wherein atransition area between the one leg and the clamp jacket deviates atleast along a section from a transverse direction.
 12. The clampaccording to claim 1, wherein at least one leg is provided with areinforcing plate.
 13. The clamp according to claim 12, wherein thereinforcing plate is formed by a folded over extension of the leg. 14.The clamp according to claim 12, wherein the reinforcing plate has anangled area at a rear edge thereof which faces the clamp jacket.
 15. Theclamp according to claim 12, wherein the reinforcing plate bridges overthe fastening section.
 16. The clamp according to claim 1, wherein theclamp jacket surrounds a plurality of receiving spaces, whosecross-section is circular.
 17. The clamp according to claim 1, whereineach lea has a bend, wherein, while in the closed state of the clamp,the bend of one leg rests in the bend of the other leg.
 18. A clamp forsecuring a tubular or hose-shaped object to a support, the clampcomprising a clamp jacket having first and second ends, a first legprojecting from the first end and a second leg projecting from thesecond end, the first leg having at least one lug projecting in adirection toward the second leg, and the second leg having a fasteningsection insertable into a gap between the at least one lug and anadjacent area of the first leg located opposite the at least one lug,wherein, in a closed state of the clamp, the at least one lug isplastically deformed onto an outer side of the fastening section facingaway from the first leg, wherein at least one leg is provided with areinforcing plate, further comprising a rivet connection between thereinforcing plate and the leg.
 19. The clamp according to claim 18,wherein the second leg has adjacent the fastening section a recess intowhich the lug is inserted in the closed state.
 20. The clamp accordingtop claim 18, wherein the reinforcing plate and the leg each has athroughopening, and the material of one of the reinforcing plate and theleg is deformed through the throughopening of another of the reinforcingplate and the leg.
 21. The clamp according to claim 20, wherein thethroughopening has a shape deviating from a circular shape.